Asia-Pacific News

Myanmar business tycoon and Malaysian charges with drug trafficking

Jul 9, 2008, 15:29 GMT

Yangon - A well-known Myanmar business tycoon with close ties to the military, and a Malaysian national have been arrested for drug trafficking and are facing trial, police sources confirmed Wednesday. Maung Weik, the 35-year-old founder of the Maung Weik & Family business group involved in trading and real estate, was arrested on May 31 on charges of trafficking in Ectasy and Ketamine, catering to Myammar's wealthy youths who include many offspring of the ruling military junta. Malaysian national Peter Too, was also arrested, and is standing trial along with five other Myanmar nationals including Aung Min, Nay Tun Lwin, Kyaw Phone Naing, Kyaw Hlaing and Kyaw Kyaw Win for engaging in drug trafficking since 2003, sources said. The trial of Maung Weik, who like most successful Myanmar businessmen has close ties with the military, started on June 10, police said. News of the arrests and trial has been kept out of the state- controlled Myanmar media. Drug trafficking in Myanmar carries a life sentence. Drug addiction is rife in Myanmar, once one of the world's main suppliers of opium and its refined derivative heroin, but now a major producer of methamphetamines.

Asia-Pacific News

Myanmar business tycoon and Malaysian charges with drug trafficking

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